Lhokseumawe beach escapes tsunami

Lhokseumawe beach escapes tsunami

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe

An Acehnese couple, Hadi and Cut Mala, enjoyed the ocean view
from Ujung Blang beach in Lhokseumawe while savoring a cold
coconut juice.

Although the recent natural disaster had affected most parts
of Aceh, Hadi and Cut Mala were not worried.

"There's nothing to be afraid of on this beach. It's safe,
there's no giant tidal wave like in other places, and no
victims," said 27-year-old Cut Mala, a local teacher who lives
nearby in Banda Sakti district.

She said she liked to go to the beach with her boyfriend,
Hadi. "It just so happens that he's on leave now, so we've come
here. It's peaceful and a good place to relax."

Located in Hagu Teungoh village, Ujung Blang beach is located
only two kilometers from Lhokseumawe and can be reached by a
motorized pedicab, or becak mesin, the only public transportation
in the area.

A trip from Lhokseumawe to the beach costs Rp 3,000, but on
weekends, the fare increases to Rp 5,000.

Traders along the beach said that before the tsunami, visitors
reached over 100 people, mostly from neighboring cities like
Bireuen, Takengon and Sigli in Aceh or even from as far away as
Medan.

The number of visitors has dropped sharply since the disaster,
and has forced some traders to close up shop.

Siti Sarah, a mother of three and owner of Jambo Kak Sarah
food stall, said she had only reopened a couple of days ago, and
made only Rp 6,000 on the first day.

Previously, she could bring home around Rp 150,000 on slow
days, and up to Rp 800,000 a day on weekends.

"But now it's really hard after the tsunami. Not many visitors
come here," said Siti, who opened her food stall last year.

She admitted she did not fear any new tsunamis, although her
food stall, just like the others, was located on the beachfront.

When the tsunami hit on Dec. 26 and destroyed most of Aceh,
the waves at Ujung Blang beach rose to two meters, but did not
cause any damage to residents' houses.

"If the tsunamis hit here, hundreds of people would die and
the beach would be history," said Siti.

Ujung Blang has been gaining popularity as a tourist site only
in the last three years. The area was once a residential area,
but after an alleged arson razed the houses, it was transformed
into a tourist resort. Now, at least 70 stalls fill the five-
hectare site, offering food and souvenirs.

Siti said before Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province was placed
under a state of civil emergency, foreign visitors frequently
visited the beach.

"If the beach is managed properly by the government, this
region could develop faster because it has tourism potential,"
she said.